System and method for providing an online electronic signature

ABSTRACT

A system is provided for generating an online electronic signature. The system includes a computer interface module which records movement of a cursor on a computer screen and outputs the recorded data. A signature generation module which receives the recorded data and generates a graphical image based upon the recorded data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

This patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/593,210 filed on Dec. 21, 2004, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods forrecording an electronic (digitized) signature. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a creating and recording an electronicsignature over the Internet, such as via a web browser.

2. Description of the Related Art

Since the outset of the Internet, electronic commerce has proliferateddramatically. It is now common place to transact all types business overthe Internet. Retail sales have benefited from the Internet, and nowmost merchants have web sites that allow online purchasing via a websiteor online catalogue. All that is needed to complete a purchase is accessto the Internet and a credit card.

Online merchants are handicapped by the lack of a written contractsigned by its customers. If an online purchaser disputes a credit cardtransaction, the merchant will not have a signed contract to prove thelegitimacy of the transaction. As a result, online vendors are exposedto undue risk.

Thus, there is a need for systems and methods for generating andcapturing electronic signatures for online transactions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system isprovided for generating an online electronic signature. The systemincludes a computer interface module which records movement of a cursoron a computer screen and outputs the recorded data. A signaturegeneration module is also included which receives the recorded data andgenerates a graphical image based upon the recorded data.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method forcapturing an online electronic signature is provided. The method caninclude a step of downloading online content to a client computerinterface. As a result of the downloading, a signature block isdisplayed on the client computer interface. The signature block capturescoordinate data from a computer peripheral device. A graphical image ofa signature is generated from the coordinate data.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system isprovided for capturing an online electronic signature. The system mayinclude a web server configured to store and transmit online content, aclient interface and a signature capture program. The client interfacemay be configured to access the web server and download and display theonline content. The signature capture program may be configured todisplay a signature block on the client interface, to capture coordinatedata of a computer cursor within the signature block, and to generate asignature image based on the captured coordinate data.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system isprovided for capturing an online electronic signature via a web browseron a client computer interface. The system includes a signature captureprogram configured to display a signature block on the client interfacewithin the web browser, to capture coordinate data of a computer cursorwithin the signature block, and to generate a signature image based onthe captured coordinate data.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system isprovided for generating an online electronic signature. The system mayinclude means for interfacing with a client computer, recording movementof a cursor on a computer screen and outputting recorded coordinatedata. The system may also include means for receiving the recordedcoordinate data and generating a graphical image based upon the recordedcoordinate data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a web browser fordisplaying online content is provided. The web browser includes acomputer interface module which records movement of a cursor on acomputer screen and outputs the recorded data. The web browser furtherincludes a signature generation module which receives the recorded dataand generates a graphical image based upon the recorded data. The webbrowser further includes means for invoking the computer interfacemodule such that online content displayed with the web browser caninvoke the computer interface module.

The invention maybe used to capture signatures, especially over theInternet. Signatures can be stored as a graphic image file for furtherviewing. The present invention may also be used to capture drawings orsketches to be used for later use.

Further applications and advantages of various embodiments of thepresent invention are discussed below with reference to the drawingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is view of a signature block according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of a signature block including an email address formfield, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view of a signature block including additional form fieldsaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system for capturing an online electronicsignature according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a screen shot of a signature image generated according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an online signature capture process accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, anumber of illustrative embodiments are described herein with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered asproviding examples of the principles of the invention and such examplesare not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodimentsdescribed herein and/or illustrated herein.

The main component of the present invention is a program, application,module, or component, such as Flash, JavaScript, Java, Java applet,ActiveX control, etc. that displays a drawing pad on a computer screen(e.g., within a web browser window) and captures signatures input via amouse or other peripheral device (e.g., writing pad, keyboard arrows,touch pad, etc.). The coordinates of the inputted signature may bestored locally in a file, database, etc. for further viewing/editing ofthe signature, used to generate a graphic image file of the signature,or transmitted (e.g., as a character string) to a remote server forstorage, creation of a graphic image file, or for viewing or editing.

For example, referring to FIG. 1, a signature box (drawing-pad) 102 canbe displayed on a computer screen, such as within a web browser window.The signature block 102 can be part of a larger form object 100 that caninclude text, graphics or fields for other data entry.

The drawing-pad 102 may be displayed on the computer screen in any shape(e.g., rectangle-shaped) and is configured to allow the computer user todraw, for example, to sign their name or initials. For aestheticreasons, it may be preferable to include a signature block that is sizedto match a corresponding form or web page. The drawing-pad 102 mayappear, for example, on an Internet shopping cart or web form. Thepreferred functions provided are:

-   -   Draw: to write the signature    -   Clear: to erase a signature    -   Submit: to send, submit, or store the signature.

The drawing-pad 102 is configured to capture the coordinates input froma peripheral device, such as a mouse. The capture process preferablyoutputs x and y coordinates of the location of the windows cursor withinthe drawing-pad 102. The captured coordinates may then be used to createa graphical image of the signature. The coordinates or the graphicalimage file or both could be stored for later use. For example, storedcoordinates of the signature/drawing could be edited in the future, andcould be used to generate a graphic image file (gif) or other image file(e.g., .bmp, .jpg, etc.), when finally completed.

Preferably, signatures are displayed within drawing-pad 102 while theuser is entering the signature. For example, the drawing-pad 102 couldbe configured to use a computer mouse input to generate a signature.When the left mouse button (not shown) is depressed, and the windowscursor is within the drawing-pad 102, the coordinates of the mousecursor can be captured and simultaneously displayed to the user via aprogram display function (e.g., Flash line draw command) so that theuser can see the signature. Captured signatures, signature data,graphical objects, etc. may be accessed by any means, such as onlinethrough a web page or link.

The signature coordinates or graphic image may be submitted and/orstored along with any additional accompanying data, which could be usedto identify the signature or signer. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, aform field to enter the email address could be included in a separateblock 104. Any data could be stored or captured with a signature. Forexample, one or more of the following: a Client ID, Customer ID, an IPaddress, a Session ID, an email address, and Company ID, etc. Thisadditional data may be supplied by the signer by typing it into formfields, or it may be embedded in the HTML or code or client program usedto host or display the drawing-pad 102. If required data is missing orinvalid, the signature capture process could be configured to display anappropriate error message to the user in the form of a dialog box, webpage, etc.

Another example is shown in FIG. 3. An HTML form includes fields 300 forentry of City, Location, Zip, Phone, 800#, and Fax number. The drawingpad 102 has an Erase button 302 next to it and a Submit button 304 belowit. If the Submit button 304 is depressed before all the fields arefilled in or before the signature is drawn, then an error message couldbe generated. In other words, the functionality of the drawing-pad 102can be integrated with an HTML document, XML form, etc.

When additional data is supplied, it may be stored, for example in adatabase, to aid in future lookup of the captured signature. In thealternative or in addition thereto, the data could be captured with thesignature. The signature and its accompanying data could be submittedindependently from the rest of the form, for example from a web page. Ifit is submitted to the server with the form, the server may redirect ordownload a web page to the client. If it is submitted independently, theform or the signature capture program may display a dialog box to theuser when the signature has been submitted or if there is an error.

The signature or drawing can be captured on the client side, forexample, with program executed by a web browser. The program couldcomprise written instructions in any computer programming languagehaving the appropriate capabilities, but is preferably designedspecifically for online (e.g., Web) applications, such as HTML, Flash,JavaScript, etc. The program can be configured to record x and ycoordinates of the signature, which may be used forviewing/editing/storage, and/or send the coordinate data to a server forviewing/editing/storage. An image generation program or module may usethe coordinates to create the signature or drawing as a graphic image,which can be stored as a file on a file system, possibly for accessonline or in a database.

One skilled in the art will understand that the signature capture andimage generation processes could be combined and implemented by a singlecomputer program or by several separate components residing together orremote from each other. For example, a Flash program could be downloadedwith an HTML page to capture the signature data and send the data to aremotely located C++ program, which generates the image of thesignature.

The signature may be submitted or uploaded to a server as coordinates,for example, in an ASCII delimited character string, or as a graphicimage file. A server may use the coordinates to create graphic imagefile, and may store the graphic image file or coordinates for futuredisplay or editing.

The present invention may be used in nearly any type of computerarchitecture configuration, such as stand-alone or client/serverprogram, application, or component. As an example, FIG. 4 is a blockdiagram of a system for capturing online electronic signatures accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the system 400 could include a web server 402, a signaturelink server 404 coupled with a storage device 406, and a clientinterface 408, each coupled with or otherwise in communication with anelectronic data network 410, such as the Internet.

The web server 402 may be configured to provide online content such asHTML pages, java programs, streaming broadcast data or multimediaservices, etc. Such content maybe accessed and displayed, played,executed, etc. by client 408, such as via a web browser such as INTERNETEXPLORER. Within the content to be displayed may be a call, such as anembedded object request, which causes the client 408 to access thesignature link server 404 and download a program element configured todisplay a signature block, such as described above with respect to FIGS.1-3. The client 408 runs the program and the user may enter a signature,such as via a peripheral device, such as a computer mouse. The clientdisplays and captures the signature to the user. The signature data maybe stored locally or transmitted directly to the signature link server404, which can be configured to generate a graphical image of thesignature. Otherwise, a graphical image of the signature could begenerated locally and transmitted to the signature link server 404.

The signature link server 404 can store signature data (e.g., coordinatedata) or signature images in a storage device 406, which may be part ofthe server or a separate data storage device. As described above,additional data can be stored with the signature image (e.g., in theimage itself, in a text file on the file system, etc.) or in a database.For example, form data may be transmitted to the signature link server404 along with the signature data and/or a graphical image. The formdata could be stored in the storage device 406, such as in a database,and linked to the graphical image of the signature or to the signaturedata.

Preferably, the signature data and/or image files can be made accessiblevia the electronic data network 410. Alternatively, signature data,additional data, and/or graphical images could be transmitted directlyto the web server 402 from the client 408.

The generated image can be a signature only, or may include otherelements, such as text element related to contract terms or otherinformation associated with an online transaction. For example, as shownin FIG. 5, several clauses are combined with the signature to form anonline electronic signed contract.

After the signature and optional data is received by the server, theserver may save and/or display the receipt of the transaction or theagreement text for which the signature was required. For instance, whenmaking a purchase online, the resulting “Thank You” page may DISPLAY thedetails of your order along with the signature image embedded in theHTML as a signed receipt for the customer to print for future reference.This data may be optionally re-displayed with a dynamic webpage thatgathers the data from storage and displays it preferably as HTML alongwith the embedded signature image. This data could optionally be storedas a static HTML webpage on the server for future reference, especiallyfor the merchant to print off in case of a credit card chargebackdispute.

As another example, when submitting a signature in order to agree to anagreement or Terms & Conditions, the next page could display theagreement or Terms & Conditions with the signature image embedded at thebottom of the webpage. In other words, the FIG. 5 “Thank You” page couldstore the agreed-upon text and/or accompanied data within the signaturegraphic image file itself or as text on the webpage along with thesignature graphic image file.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for capturing an online electronicsignature. The method may be implemented with systems and programs asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

At step S6-1, when a user accesses a program, web page, etc. which isconfigured to use an online signature according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, a signature display block or drawing pad is displayedon the user computer separate from or in connection with thecorresponding program, web page, etc. The signature display block ordrawing pad is preferably configured to perform at least the signaturecapture and display process.

At S6-2 the user signs in the drawing via a computer peripheral device,such as a mouse. If the drawing is acceptable to the user, he or she maysubmit the drawing via a submit function or button (S6-3). At S6-4,stored captured data is sent to a server for storing and/or generationof the graphical signature. As described above, additional informationmay be submitted with the coordinate data or with the signature imageand therefore, the signature capture process may be coordinated withother data entry.

A clear function or button can also be provided. If at step S6-3 theclear function is executed, coordinate data is erased and processingreturns to step S6-1.

Data may also be sent directly to a server application upon submission(S6-5). A server application can store the signature coordinate data orgenerate an appropriate graphical image of the signature for displayand/or storage, which may also include other items such as text or data(S6-6). The accompanied data may be stored separately from the graphicimage file, such as in a database and/or in a text file and/or in astatic HTML “receipt” webpage of the transaction.

If there is a problem (S6-7) with the signature or data related thereto,an error message can be displayed (S6-8) and processing can be returnedto step S6-1. Data may be erased or left in place for correction.Otherwise, a final step can be performed (S6-9), such as redirecting theuser to another web page, program, etc. (S6-10) or displaying a successmessage indicating that the transaction is complete and/or the signaturehas been successfully captured and generated (S6-11).

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the signaturecapture program could be included within a web browser as standardfunctionality or as a browser plug-in. Web pages could invoke thesignature capture feature of the web browser through standard HTML orbrowser-specific HTML.

Thus, a number of preferred embodiments have been fully described abovewith reference to the drawing figures. Although the invention has beendescribed based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparentto those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, andalternative constructions could be made to the described embodimentswithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A system for generating an online electronic signature, said systemcomprising: a computer interface module which records movement of acursor on a computer screen and outputs the recorded data; a signaturegeneration module which receives said recorded data and generates agraphical image based upon said recorded data.
 2. The system as recitedin claim 1, wherein said computer interface module records coordinatedata of said cursor.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein saidcomputer interface module includes a signature block object which isdisplayed on the screen of a computer, and said computer interfacerecords and outputs coordinate data of cursor movement within saidsignature block object.
 4. The system as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid computer interface module comprises a flash program.
 5. The systemas recited in claim 1, wherein said computer interface module comprisesa browser plug-in.
 6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein saidcomputer interface module comprises a built-in component of a webbrowser.
 7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said computerinterface module comprises a java applet.
 8. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein said computer interface module comprises a downloadablecomputer program.
 9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein saidcomputer interface module is installed onto a first computer and saidsignature generation module is installed on a second computer and saiddata is transmitted from said computer interface module to saidsignature generation module over an electronic data network.
 10. Thesystem as recited in claim 2, wherein said computer interface module isconfigured to store said coordinate data in a file and transmit saidfile to said signature generation module, and said signature generationmodule is configured to read said coordinate data from said file. 11.The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said cursor is moved on saidcomputer by a computer mouse, and said coordinate data is recorded onlywhen a mouse button is depressed on said mouse.
 12. The system asrecited in claim 3, wherein said cursor is moved on said computer screenvia a peripheral device input into said computer.
 13. The system asrecited in claim 12, wherein said peripheral device input into saidcomputer comprises a computer mouse, and said computer interface moduleis configured to record coordinate data only when a mouse button isdepressed upon said mouse.
 14. The system as recited in claim 3, whereinsaid computer interface module is further configured to transmit asignal to said signature generation module to begin signaturegeneration.
 15. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein said computerinterface module is further configured to transmit a signal to saidsignature generation module to begin signal generation.
 16. The systemas recited in claim 1, wherein said computer interface module is furtherconfigured to transmit a signal to said signature generation module tobegin signature generation.
 17. The system as recited in claim 1,wherein said computer interface module is further configured to displayan error message when a data error occurs with entry of data into acorresponding form.
 18. A method for capturing an online electronicsignature, comprising steps of: downloading online content to a clientcomputer interface; as a result of said downloading, displaying asignature block on the client computer interface, said signature blockcapturing coordinate data from a computer peripheral device; andgenerating a graphical image of a signature from said coordinate data.19. The method for capturing an online electronic signature as recitedin claim 18, wherein said displaying a signature block step includes astep of downloading a signature block program based on link embedded insaid online content, said signature block program configured to displaythe signature block on the client computer interface and capture thecoordinate data from a computer peripheral device.
 20. The method forcapturing an online electronic signature as recited in claim 18, whereinsaid computer client interface includes a web browser for displayingsaid online content to a computer user, and said displaying a signatureblock step includes a step of executing a signature block module basedon an embedded command in said online content, said signature blockmodule configured to display the signature block on the client computerinterface and capture the coordinate data from a computer peripheraldevice.
 21. The method for capturing an online electronic signature asrecited in claim 20, wherein said signature block module comprises aplug-in to said web browser.
 22. The method for capturing an onlineelectronic signature as recited in claim 20, wherein said signatureblock module comprises included in said web browser.
 23. The method forcapturing an online electronic signature as recited in claim 20, whereinsaid signature block module comprises embedded in said online content.24. A system for capturing an online electronic signature, comprising: aweb server configured to store and transmit online content; a clientinterface configured to access said web server and download and displaysaid online content; and a signature capture program configured todisplay a signature block on said client interface, to capturecoordinate data of a computer cursor within said signature block, and togenerate a signature image based on said captured coordinate data.
 25. Asystem for capturing an online electronic signature via a web browser ona client computer interface, said system comprising: a signature captureprogram configured to display a signature block on said client interfacewithin said web browser, to capture coordinate data of a computer cursorwithin said signature block, and to generate a signature image based onsaid captured coordinate data.
 26. The system for capturing an onlineelectronic signature as recited in claim 25, wherein said a signaturecapture program is stored remote from said client computer interface andis downloadable to said web browser.
 27. The system for capturing anonline electronic signature as recited in claim 25, wherein said asignature capture program is downloaded and executed by said clientcomputer interface as a result of an embedded object call in onlinecontent displayed by said web browser.
 28. The system for capturing anonline electronic signature as recited in claim 27, wherein said onlinecontent includes a form for entering data, and wherein: said signaturecapture program is configured to capture data entered into said form andlink said data with at least one of said coordinate data and saidsignature image.
 29. The system for capturing an online electronicsignature as recited in claim 26, wherein: said signature captureprogram is configured to capture data entered into said form and linksaid data with at least one of said coordinate data and said signatureimage.
 30. The system for capturing an online electronic signature asrecited in claim 26, wherein: said signature capture program comprises asignature capture module configured to capture coordinate data of acomputer cursor within said signature block, and a signature generationmodule configured to generate said graphical signature based on saidcaptured data; wherein said signature capture module and signaturegeneration module reside on different computer devices.
 31. A system forgenerating an online electronic signature, said system comprising: meansfor interfacing with a client computer, recording movement of a cursoron a computer screen and outputting recorded coordinate data; means forreceiving said recorded coordinate data and generating a graphical imagebased upon said recorded coordinate data.
 32. The system as recited inclaim 31, wherein said means for interfacing records coordinate data ofa computer windows cursor controlled by a peripheral computer device.33. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein said means forinterfacing includes a means for displaying a signature block object onthe screen of a computer, and records and outputs coordinate data ofcursor movement within said signature block object.
 34. The system asrecited in claim 31, wherein said means for interfacing comprises aflash program.
 35. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein said meansfor interfacing comprises a browser plug-in.
 36. The system as recitedin claim 31, wherein said means for interfacing comprises a built-incomponent of a web browser.
 37. The system as recited in claim 31,wherein said means for interfacing comprises a java applet.
 38. Thesystem as recited in claim 31, wherein said means for interfacingcomprises a computer program.
 39. The system as recited in claim 31,wherein said means for interfacing is installed onto a first computerand said means for receiving is installed on a second computer, and saiddata is transmitted from said means for interfacing to said means forreceiving over an electronic data network.
 40. The system as recited inclaim 32, wherein said means for interfacing stores said recordedcoordinate data in a file and transmits said file to said means forreceiving, and said means for receiving reads said coordinate data fromsaid file.
 41. The system as recited in claim 33, wherein said cursor ismoved on said computer by a computer mouse, and said coordinate data isrecorded only when a mouse button is depressed on said mouse.
 42. Thesystem as recited in claim 33, wherein said cursor is moved on saidcomputer screen via a peripheral device input into said computer. 43.The system as recited in claim 42, wherein said peripheral device inputinto said computer comprises a computer mouse, and said means forinterfacing record coordinates data only when a mouse button isdepressed upon said mouse.
 44. The system as recited in claim 31,wherein said means for interfacing transmits a signal to said means forreceiving to begin signature generation.
 45. The system as recited inclaim 31, wherein said means for interfacing transmits a signal to saidmeans for receiving to begin signature generation.
 46. A web browser,comprising: means for displaying online content; a computer interfacemodule which records movement of a cursor on a computer screen andoutputs the recorded data; a signature generation module which receivessaid recorded data and generates a graphical image based upon saidrecorded data; and means for invoking said computer interface modulesuch that online content displayed with said web browser can invoke saidcomputer interface module.
 47. The web browser as recited in claim 46,wherein said computer interface module records coordinate data of saidcursor.
 48. The web browser as recited in claim 46, wherein saidcomputer interface module includes a signature block object which isdisplayed on the screen of a computer, and said computer interfacerecords and outputs coordinate data of cursor movement within saidsignature block object.
 49. The web browser as recited in claim 47,wherein said computer interface module is configured to store saidcoordinate data in a file, and said signature generation module isconfigured to read said coordinate data from said file.
 50. The webbrowser as recited in claim 48, wherein said cursor is moved on saidcomputer by a computer mouse, and said coordinate data is recorded onlywhen a mouse button is depressed on said mouse.
 51. The web browser asrecited in claim 48, wherein said cursor is moved on said computerscreen via a peripheral device input into said computer.
 52. The webbrowser as recited in claim 51, wherein said peripheral device inputinto said computer comprises a computer mouse, and said computerinterface module is configured to record coordinate data only when amouse button is depressed upon said mouse.
 53. The browser as recited inclaim 52, wherein said computer interface module is further configuredto display an error message when a data error occurs with entry of datainto a corresponding form.
 54. The system as recited in claim 31,wherein said means for interfacing is installed onto a same computer assaid means for receiving is installed.